§ 6-17-101 - Certificate of health -- Tuberculosis tests.
6-17-101. Certificate of health -- Tuberculosis tests.
(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(4) of this section, prior to beginning employment each school year, every newly hired public school employee within this state shall present to the secretary of the board of directors of the employing school district a certificate of health dated not more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of its presentation stating that the employee is free from tuberculosis.
(2) The status of the individual regarding possible tuberculosis infection must be determined by a method prescribed by regulation of the State Board of Health, and reactors must undergo sufficient additional tests prescribed by regulation of the State Board of Health and shall be scheduled for a periodic reexamination according to the individual's risk status.
(3) Certificates of health stating that public school employees are free from tuberculosis infection may be issued by a regularly licensed physician or regularly constituted health authority, but interpretation of any X ray film must be made by a competent roentgenologist or physician experienced in tuberculosis.
(4) A newly hired employee who has had the required screening performed in the United States within the six (6) months prior to employment will not be required to have it repeated, provided that the employee presents documentation to the hiring school district in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Health.
(b) All school cafeteria employees and other school employees handling food shall comply with the same health requirements imposed upon employees of restaurants and other food service establishments in the State of Arkansas.
(c) Any teacher or other school employee or member of a school board of directors within this state violating the terms of this section shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).